"The war!" she said, at length. "It has come, then, the terrible news that I have so dreaded. We are to part, and I shall never, never see you again."
"What nonsense, Mariquita! Be brave! Remember you are to be a soldier's wife. Be brave, I say."
"They will kill you! Oh! if they only dared, I would be revenged!"
"Bravo, my pet! that is the proper spirit. You would fight the Russians, wouldn't you?"
"I would do anything, Stanislas, to help you, to shield you from harm. Why can't I go with you? Who knows! I might save you. I, a weak, helpless girl, would be strong if you were in danger. I am ready, Stanislas, to sacrifice my life for yours."
Greatly touched by the deep devotion displayed by these sweet words, McKay bent his head and kissed her on the lips.
But at this moment the tender scene was abruptly ended by the shrill, strident tones of La Zandunga's voice.
"So I have caught you, shameless girl, philandering again with this rascally red-coat. May he die in a dog-kennel! Here, in my very house! But, I promise you, it is for the last time. Hola! Benito! Pedro! help!" and, screaming wildly, the old crone tore Mariquita from McKay's side and dragged her into the house.
The young sergeant, eager to protect his love from ill-usage, would have followed, but he was confronted by Benito, who now stood in the doorway, black and menacing, with a great two-edged Albacete knife in his hand.
"Stand back, miscreant, hated Englishman, or I will stab you to the heart."